Gloves over guns - JBBC to place boxing gym at Montego Bay Cricket Club

Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC), in collaboration with the Montego Bay Cricket Club (MBCC), under the 'Gloves Over Guns' initiative, has outlined plans for the establishment of a boxing gym in Montego Bay. The arrangement sees the gym being placed on the third floor of the MBCC under a four-year rent-free lease.

President of the JBBC Stephen 'Bomber' Jones says that he is excited about replicating in the Second City what he believes can aid in community development, as it has shown positive effects in Kingston over the past three years.

"The fact of the matter is that developed communities and countries are as strong as the people involved and the people growing up in the communities. We have realised that we have stronger youths, communication and community base in every area that we go to," said Jones.

When asked about further development, Jones told The Gleaner that everything was still in progress. He pointed out that there are still a few minor developments to be made with the stakeholders on board and they would do so today when he visits the city.

"The thing that I'm most enthusiastic about is who will be guiding the coaching seminars. Job Walters (father of former WBA Featherweight Champion Nicholas 'The Axeman' Walters) said he is on board. So that's a big thing for me. With the coach that he is, and his commitment to Montego Bay," said Jones, who added that he was most concerned about who they could get as a counsellor.

"Yes, we are losing too many of them to the guns. I know this is a way we can get them back, because a lot of the youths who don't do well in school over the years always gravitate towards boxing,"Walters told The Gleaner.

"Not only will we get the youths, but also, this could attract some overseas boxers who would like to train in Jamaica. With a gym here, my son, who trains in Panama, could come here to train sometimes and bring some of his friends and training partners," he added.